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Jennifer Jahncke, PhD
Portland, OR
Education
Oregon Health & Science University
PhD in Neuroscience
Portland, OR
2024 - 2018
- Advisor: Kevin M. Wright, PhD, Vollum Institute, OHSU
University of California, Davis
BS in Psychology, Minor in Neuroscience
Davis, CA
2014 - 2010
Selected Courses
- Analytical and Quantitative Light Microscopy, MBL, 2024, Woods Hole, MA
- Behavioral Neuroscience Responsible Conduct of Research, OHSU, 2024, Portland, OR
- Neurohackademy, UW, 2023, Seattle, WA
- Programming for Biology, CSHL, 2022, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
- Biostatistics, OHSU, 2020, Portland, OR
- Data Visualization, OHSU, 2020, Portland, OR
- Practice and Ethics of Science, OHSU, 2018, Portland, OR
- Light and Fluorescence Microscopy, UC Davis, 2017, Davis, CA
N/A
Research Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher
Vollum Institute, OHSU
Portland, OR
Present - 2024
- Identification and characterization of an evolutionarily conserved novel architecture of cerebellar GABAergic synapses.
- Development and initial validation of gene therapy to alleviate neurological deficits in mouse models of dystroglycanopathy.
Graduate Student Researcher
Neuroscience Graduate Program, OHSU
Portland, OR
2024 - 2018
- Functional characterization of the scaffolding protein Dystroglycan at inhibitory synapses across the brain in mouse models of dystroglycanopathy.
- Identified novel interacting partners of Dystroglycan in the central nervous system.
Staff Research Associate
Zito & Fioravante Labs, UC Davis
Davis, CA
2018 - 2014
- Characterization of genetically encoded fluorescent glutamate sensors using 2-photon glutamate uncaging.
- Elucidation of a novel protein signaling cascade in non-ionotropic NMDA receptor mediated LTD.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Trimmer & Trainor Labs, UC Davis
Davis, CA
2014 - 2011
HONORS
2023 Vollum/NGP Paper of the Year
2023-2024 OHSU School of Medicine N.L. Tartar Trust Research Fellowship
2020-2023 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award
2020 NSF GRFP Honorable Mention
ARCS Foundation Scholar
Phi Beta Kappa
Publications
Distinct functional domains of Dystroglycan regulate inhibitory synapse formation and maintenance in cerebellar Purkinje cells.
Jahncke JN, Schnell E, Wright KW. Commun Biol. 2025; 8(1):878. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08323-1
N/A
2025
Tools for Cre-Mediated Conditional Deletion of Floxed Alleles from Developing Cerebellar Purkinje Cells.
Jahncke JN, Wright KW. eNeuro 22 May 2024, 11 (6) ENEURO.0149-24.2024; doi: 10.1523/ENEURO.0149-24.2024
N/A
2024
Inhibitory CCK+ basket synapse defects in mouse models of dystroglycanopathy.
Jahncke JN, Miller DS, Krush M, Schnell E, Wright KW. eLife. 2024; 12:RP87965. doi: 10.7554/eLife.87965.3
N/A
2024
An adhesion signaling axis involving Dystroglycan, β1-Integrin, and Cas adaptor proteins regulates the establishment of the cortical glial scaffold.
Wong W, Estep JA, Treptow AM, Rajabli N, Jahncke JN, Ubina T, Wright KM, Riccomagno MM. PLoS Biol. 2023 Aug 4;21(8):e3002212. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002212
N/A
2023
The many roles of dystroglycan in nervous system development and function.
Jahncke JN, Wright KW. Developmental Dynamics. 2023; 252( 1): 61- 80. doi: 10.1002/dvdy.516
N/A
2023
Molecular Mechanisms of Non-ionotropic NMDA Receptor Signaling in Dendritic Spine Shrinkage.
Stein IS, Park DK, Flores JC, Jahncke JN, Zito K. Journal of Neuroscience 22 April 2020, JN-RM-0046-20; doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0046-20.2020
N/A
2020
A Dual Role for the RhoGEF Ephexin5 in Regulation of Dendritic Spine Outgrowth.
Hamilton AM, Lambert JT, Parajuli LK, Vivas O, Park DK, Stein IS, Jahncke JN, Greenberg ME, Margolis SS, Zito K. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 80 (2017): 66-7 doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.02.001
N/A
2017
Talks
Go Nuts for Donuts: Molecular determinants of cerebellar GABAergic donut synapses
Vollum Works In Progress
Portland, OR
2024
A functional role for Dystroglycan at inhibitory synapses across multiple brain regions
Dissertation Defense
Portland, OR
2024
A conserved role for Dystroglycan at inhibitory synapses across multiple brain regions
Vollum Works In Progress
Portland, OR
2023
Inhibitory Basket Synapse Formation in Mouse Models of Dystroglycanopathy
Vollum Works In Progress
Portland, OR
2023
A functional role for Dystroglycan at inhibitory cerebellar synapses
Vollum Works In Progress
Virtual
2021
Dystroglycan: a scaffold for inhibitory synapses in cerebellar cortex
Vollum Works In Progress
Virtual
2020
Abstracts
Distinct domains of Dystroglycan regulate GABAergic synapse formation and function in cerebellar Purkinje cells.
Jahncke JN, Schnell E, Wright KM. Inhibition in the CNS GRC
Newry, ME
2025
Purkinje neuron Dystroglycan is required for inhibitory synapse formation and maintenance.
Jahncke JN, Schnell E, Wright KM. OHSU NGP Retreat
Government Camp, OR
2023
Dystrogycan is necessary for the formation of functional inhibitory CCK+/CB1R+ basket synapses in hippocampus.
Jahncke JN, Miller DS, Schnell E, Wright KM. CSHL Molecular Mechanisms of Neuronal Connectivity
Cold Spring Harbor, NY
2022
Purkinje cell Dystroglycan may promote the function of inhibitory basket synapses in cerebellar cortex.
Jahncke JN, Schnell E, Wright KM. CSHL Molecular Mechanisms of Neuronal Connectivity
Cold Spring Harbor, NY
2020
Non ionotropic NMDA receptor signaling mechanisms driving dendritic spine plasticity.
Stein IS, Park DK, Jahncke JN, Zito K. Society for Neuroscience
Chicago, IL
2019
Genetically-encoded glutamate sensors for monitoring large populations of individual synapses in vivo.
Mizuno GO, Dong C, Jahncke JN, Natan R, Papadopoulos S, Jaffe D, Lambert JT, Ji N, Zito K, Tian . Fourth Annual Brain Initiative Investigators Meeting
Bethesda, MD
2018
Teaching Experience
MBL Analytical and Quantitative Light Microscopy
Teaching assistant at the Marine Biological Laboratory AQLM course.
Woods Hole, MA
2025
OHSU NGP Bootcamp: Model Organisms
Hands on dissection of mouse and sheep brains to familiarize incoming graduate students with practical neuroanatomy of model system organisms.
Portland, OR
2023 - 2025
Rigor and Reproducibility in Light Microscopy
Lecture on best practices in light microscopy, aimed at incoming neuroscience graduate students.
Portland, OR
2023 - 2025
OHSU MD Foundations of Medicine: Nervous System and Function
Instruction of first year medical students learning about brain structure and function. Taught human cerebellum and brain stem anatomy in a hands on lab working with donated specimen.
Portland, OR
2023 - 2025
OHSU NGP Bootcamp: Patch Clamp Electrophysiology
Hands on patch clamp instruction.
Portland, OR
2021
Graduate Level TA Positions
Biostatistics (CONJ 620) Winter 2021, OHSU
Cellular Neurophysiology (NEUS 624) Fall 2019, OHSU
Portland, OR
2021, 2019
MBL Neurobiology, Imaging Section
Teaching assistant at the Marine Biological Laboratory Neurobiology Course for the imaging section.
Woods Hole, MA
2018
Volunteer & Mentorship Experience
Neuroscience Graduate Program Rotation Student Mentor
Mentored students through their 8-week laboratory rotation, overseeing their laboratory work, data analysis, and data presentation. In total I have mentored six rotation students.
Portland, OR
2022 - 2026
Undergraduate Researcher Mentor
Mentored an undergraduate research intern as part of the two month OHSU NGP Summer Intern Program. Oversaw their laboratory work, data analysis, oral presentation, and poster presentation.
Portland, OR
2024
Alliance for Visible Diversity (AVDS)
Communications Committee Member
Portland, OR
2022 - 2020
OHSU Graduate School Organization (GSO)
Peer Mentoring Program
Peer Mentor
Portland, OR
2022 - 2019
Women In Science PDX (WIS)
STEMpowerment Committee Member
Portland, OR
2020 - 2019
NGP Alumni Invite Committee
Committee Member
Portland, OR
2019 - 2018
Brain Awareness Week - Davis Chapter
Event Organizer, Volunteer
Davis, CA
2018 - 2015
UC Davis Neurobiology, Physiology, & Behavior Club
Guest Speaker
Davis, CA
2015
Undergraduate Researcher Mentor
Mentored two undergraduates in the lab setting, overseeing their independent research projects and providing support through poster presentations, fellowship applications, and career development.
Davis, CA
2018 - 2014